10/18/14

The Music Man and the Prophets

In the NT the Hebrew writer (1:1) said that God spoke to
the fathers by the prophets in "various ways". There were dreams,
direct speech, visions while awake, apocalyptic images, historical
events and more. As we work to understand these men this should help us
to keep our eye on what should be obvious as we read them; but under
pressure from our neighbours and the accepted orthodoxy it's the obvious
that we often ignore. The Hebrew writer gives us permission to accept
the obvious—the prophets communicated in more than one way Isaiah 1:1, Micah 1:1 and Amos 1:1 when they speak of
the word that the prophet "saw," make explicit what most of the prophets
take for granted. I'm certain that I don't understand all that they
meant by "saw" and I'm also certain that I don't understand all the
mechanics of inspiration but I believe the prophets "saw" their message
as well as hearing it and I believe the message was received and
delivered under God's superintendence.

Our English word "fantasy", with the rest of its family,
comes finally from a Greek word meaning to "show or appear or become
visible". The ability to fantasise is the ability to think in images, which is often what we mean when we say imagine. People who write fantasy write fantastic
things even though at times they're making points about issues and
truths known to (or should be) or experienced by people in general.
People like Stephen Donaldson, C. S Lewis and Jonathan Swift make their
point and gain our attention (and sometimes our agreement) by appealing
to us via our imagination. Prophets were doing that kind of thing since
the days of Joel and Amos nearly eight hundred years before Jesus.

People like "Longinus" (whoever that was) in a work on rhetoric called On the Sublime (15) spoke of phantasia
as an important method in a speaker's armoury as he uses the strength
of visualisation to inspire or frighten his listeners into some definite
response.

The Music Man is a great movie at the
entertainment level but it's also an education in communication. The
con-man, "Professor" Harold Hill, wants to get the River City people to
pour their hard-earned money into his pocket before he vanishes. He
decides he'll persuade them to fund a school band, instruments,
uniforms—the lot; but how will be go about it? He spots the beginnings
of a pool-hall and paints pictures of the awful fruit that comes from
pool-halls. Oh, yes, "there's trouble; trouble in River City" and the
children are in danger. Look, already the tell-tale signs are showing!
When he has them thoroughly frightened by the visions he's thrown up he
shows them the cure—a school band with all the splendour and joy and
innocence that goes with it.

At one point he has the kids marching through the main
street pretending to play instruments and such is the power of the
vision that the mayor and the mayoral committee are bragging on the
glory of River City's band that's marching by them. They mayor says he
thought their band was a match for any band this side of the
Mississippi. It was only when Marion, the librarian, walked by and
hissed in disbelief, "What band?" that they woke from their
dreaming. The stunned and sheepish mayor said of Professor Hill, "He's a
spellbinder!" An appeal to the imagination is a powerful element in
persuasion.

Biblically and in regard to content, even sheer fantasy has its rules so while the images often could not
be taken literally, they were not unintelligible. [We can visualise a
star falling on the earth even though it isn't literally possible and we
can imagine the sky as a piece of paper being rolled up. Even
imagination depends on the normal use of speech.] And equally to the
point, the images used had to be in the service of some definite point
the speaker had in mind. Where there's no "plot" or "point" no one is
going to get up and talk about fantastic things.

"So what's Demosthenes doing today?"

"What he does every day in the market—he's spouting verbal pictures."

"And what's his point?"

"He has no point; he just likes talking in pictures."

No one does that and certainly no prophet did. When it
comes to images Daniel and Zechariah offer us more of the "fantastic" in
their use of images though the prophets in general make a lot of use of
imagery and they always had a point. The more "fantastic" and sustained
imaging is characteristic of what has come to be called "apocalyptic"
literature, which, though recognisably distinct, is really nothing more
than the extension of something you can see everywhere in the Bible.

As I mentioned above, plot and point are essential.

Jeremiah 4 is part of a large section levelled against
faithless Judah (4:3, 5, 11, 22) and the prophet outlines God's
judgement that will come via the Babylonians. The people had heard of
and experienced God's judgement before this time so the concept wasn't
hard to understand (even if they thought it unwarranted). It was a local
judgement the prophet had in mind—that is, it was Babylon coming to
judge Judah; it isn't a discussion of the final judgement much less a
discussion about individual judgement after death. What makes it
noteworthy for us is how the prophet "sees" and tells it.

In 4:23-31 he says he "saw" a picture of the judgement and it turns out to be a vision of uncreation.
It is Genesis 1 in reverse and it is the curse of the earth as in
Genesis 3. Why does the prophet link the local judgement on Judah with
the undoing of Genesis 1 or the curse in Genesis 3:17-19?

He is underscoring the profound sinfulness of sin.He is telling us that there is a single narrative of sin—from beginning to end sin and sinning is a single story.He is reminding us that sin has cosmic consequences—it affects the entire creation.

"If you think you understand what you see
going on, you're mistaken. When you've talked of the political,
economic, military and social elements involved here you haven't got to
the bottom of things. There's more in it than meets the eye. If you
think your sin affects only you you're as wrong as you can be." So a
prophet would say.

Questions and Answers: Why is the Book of Esther in the Bible?

Q.
Why is the book of Esther in the Bible, since it does not mention God?

A.

God operates in many different ways. In the book of Exodus, for
example, we read about God working through Moses to part the Red Sea,
and to turn a shepherd’s rod into a serpent. During New Testament times,
God gave Jesus power to heal all manner of sickness, cure blindness,
and even raise the dead.
But miracles were only one way in which God worked. He also worked (and
continues to work) through providence, which means that He uses natural
laws to accomplish His varied purposes. For instance, in Acts 14:17,
the apostle Paul explained to his listeners that God gave them “rain
from heaven and fruitful seasons,” thereby filling their hearts “with
food and gladness.” How had God given them such blessings? Did He
miraculously drop apples out of the sky or turn stones to bread? No, He
used the natural forces of this world to accomplish His purposes. God
always is at work “behind the scenes” to make sure that His ultimate
will is accomplished.
When we study the book of Esther, it is true that we never read God’s
name. But many of the things that occurred in the book could not have
been “just luck.” Take, for instance, the time that King Ahasuerus could
not sleep, and his servant “just happened” to read the records of the
time that Mordecai had saved the king’s life (Esther 6:1-3). In fact,
the entire book of Esther shows that God’s guiding hand was working
behind the scenes to save the Jewish nation. Esther’s guardian,
Mordecai, once said to her: “Who knows whether you have come to the
kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14). His statement shows
that he was seeing God’s possible plan for Esther.
Today, no person has been given the power to raise the dead or turn
sticks into snakes, but God still is at work through His guiding hand of
providence. The book of Esther serves to remind us that we do not need
to see God (or even read His name) to know that He is “not far from each
one of us” (Acts 17:27).

"THE BOOK OF PROVERBS"
Listen To Your Parents (1:8-9)
INTRODUCTION
1. We saw that the beginning (principal part) of knowledge is to fear
the Lord... - Pr 1:7
a. You will more likely heed His counsel
b. Unlike fools who despise wisdom and instruction
2. In addition to the Lord, we should listen to our parents... - Pr 1:
8-9
a. Counsel that follows right after an admonition to fear (yara') the
Lord
b. In fact, the same word (yara') is used elsewhere in regards to
parents - Lev 19:3
[The admonition to listen to one's parents is repeated throughout the
book (Pr 4:1; 6:20; 23:22). Consider some reasons why it is wise to
heed our parents...]
I. THE WISDOM OF LISTENING TO YOUR PARENTS
A. THEIR KNOWLEDGE...
1. Your parents know you better than anyone
a. They fed you, clothed you, changed your diapers
b. They saw you grow, how you responded to crisis, know your
personality
2. Parents have the potential to provide better advice than anyone
else
a. Unlike teachers, counselors, who see you only for a few
minutes or hours
b. Unlike friends who may be motivated to tell you what they
want you to hear
-- No one has a better opportunity to know what you need than your
parents!
B. THEIR EXPERIENCE...
1. They have been where you are
2. They are now where you are headed (if you should live as long)
3. They are like sergeants leading their squads
a. Sergeants are older, more experienced, more likely
battle-hardy
b. They have survived what new recruits have yet to experience
c. It would be folly for a private to not listen to his
sergeant
-- Children with parents are blessed to have advice from those who
traveled the same road, only much farther
C. THEIR WISDOM...
1. Their own experience provides one source of wisdom
2. Their wisdom often includes that of their parents (your
grandparents)
a. Most people eventually appreciate their parents' advice
- e.g., Pr 4:1-4
1) "The greatest teacher I ever had was my mother." - George
Washington
2) "All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother."
- Abraham Lincoln
b. Especially when their own kids come along
c. So parents often have the accumulated wisdom of several
generations
3. Their wisdom may also include the wisdom of God!
a. Especially if one is blessed to have Christian parents
b. Who have studied that inspired wisdom passed down for many
generations
-- Children with Christian parents are blessed with wisdom from
many sources!
[The wisdom of listening to your parents should be a no-brainer. Only
the foolish and immature despise the advice and counsel of their parents
(Pr 15:5). But there is not only the wisdom, there is also...]
II. THE BEAUTY OF LISTENING TO YOUR PARENTS
A. THEIR WISDOM IS LIKE GRACEFUL JEWELRY...
1. "a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck"
- ESV
2. "a graceful wreath to your head and ornaments about your neck"
- NASB
-- Like accessories worn to make one more attractive, beautiful,
or handsome
B. CHILDREN MADE ATTRACTIVE BY THEIR PARENTS' WISDOM...
1. "That is, filial respect and obedience will be as ornamental to
thee as crowns, diadems, and golden chains and pearls are to
others." - Adam Clarke
2. "The instructions and laws of parents being attended unto and
obeyed by children, render them more lovely and amiable than
any beautiful ornament whatever that can be put upon their
heads;" - John Gill
-- Children who revere their parents by heeding their counsel are
made more attractive and appealing to others by such counsel
C. COMPARE THE UGLINESS OF PARENTAL DISRESPECT...
1. As expressed by King Agur, many children do not honor their
parents - Pr 30:1,11
2. Proverbs warn of the tragic end of those who dishonor parents
- Pr 30:17; 20:20
3. Perhaps influenced by the decrees found in the Law of Moses
- Deut 27:16
a. The penalty for cursing parents was death - Lev 20:9
b. The penalty for a rebellious son was likewise - Deut 21:18-21
-- Children who did not honor their parents were harshly judged by
God in OT times
CONCLUSION
1. Fortunately, we live under the law of Christ...
a. A time of grace, longsuffering, and mercy
b. But a time where despising God's mercy will eventually be called
into account - Ro 2:4-6
2. The law of Christ still expects children to respect their parents...
a. To obey and honor them - Ep 6:1-2
b. Even as Jesus honored His earthly parents - Lk 2:51-52
Note that as Jesus increased in wisdom, so He did in favor with God and
man. His own example illustrates the truth of our lesson, and that
written later in Proverbs:
"My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands;
for length of days and long life and peace they will add to you.
Let not mercy and truth forsake you; bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart, and so find favor and high
esteem In the sight of God and man." - Pr 3:1-4
May the wisdom of your own parents grace your neck, having been written
on your heart ...!

"THE BOOK OF PROVERBS"
The Theme Of Proverbs (1:7)
INTRODUCTION
1. In our previous study we considered the purpose of the book of
Proverbs...
a. To know wisdom, perceive words of understanding - Pr 1:2
b. To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, judgment, and
equity - Pr 1:3
c. To give prudence to the simple, to the young man knowledge and
discretion - Pr 1:4
d. To increase learning for a wise man, to give counsel to a man of
understanding - Pr 1:5
e. To understand proverbs and enigmas, the words of the wise and
their riddles - Pr 1:6
2. In this study, we shall focus our attention on the theme of the
book...
a. Found in verse 7 (read)
b. Stated in the form of antithetical parallelism
c. In which the repeated terms of a poetic couplet are opposite in
meaning
d. Typical of thought rhyme (as opposed to word rhyme) found in
Hebrew poetry
[We first note that it is "the fear of the LORD" which is...]
I. THE BEGINNING OF KNOWLEDGE
A. THE FEAR OF THE LORD EXPLAINED...
1. The term yara' (fear) is the common word for fear in the OT and
has a basic three-fold range of meanings - as per the NET Bible
a. Dread, terror - Deut 1:29; Jon 1:10
b. To stand in awe (in reference to a king) - 1Ki 3:28
c. To revere, to respect (in regards to parents) - Lev 19:3
2. Notice when God descended upon Sinai amid geophysical
convulsions - cf. Exo 20:18-20
a. Moses encouraged the Israelites to not be afraid of God
arbitrarily striking them dead for no reason ("Do not
fear!")
b. He informed them that the Lord revealed Himself in such a
terrifying manner to scare them from sinning ("God has come
to test you, and that His fear may be before you, so that
you may not sin.")
3. Thus there is also a place for such fear of the Lord in the
life of a Christian
a. We should fear God, not man - Mt 10:28
b. The early church walked in the fear of the Lord - Ac 9:31
c. We are to work out our salvation with fear and trembling
- Php 2:12
d. We should be fearful of apostasy, serving God with godly
fear - He 10:26-31; 12:28-29
-- The fear of the LORD is expressed in reverential submission to
his will - NET Bible
B. THE FEAR OF THE LORD ESTEEMED...
1. From the book of Proverbs we learn concerning the fear of the
Lord:
a. It is the beginning of knowledge - Pr 1:7
b. It will cause one to hate evil - Pr 8:13
c. It will prolong life - Pr 10:27
d. It provides strong confidence and is a fountain of life
- Pr 14:26-27
e. It prompts one to depart from evil - Pr 16:6
f. It leads to a satisfying life, and spares one from much evil
- Pr 19:23
g. It is the way to riches, honor, and life! - Pr 22:4
2. Thus without the fear of the Lord:
a. We deprive ourselves of the treasures of God's wisdom and
knowledge
b. We will flirt with evil and be corrupted by it
c. Our lives are likely to be shortened by our refusal to heed
God's word (e.g., suffering sexually transmitted diseases if
we do not heed His Word on sexual relationships)
d. We will not come to know the love of God that gives us
assurance and confidence of our salvation
e. When fallen into sin, we will not be motivated to repent and
turn to God!
f. We will not be motivated to truly "work out our own
salvation"
-- The fear of the Lord should be a highly regarded and sought
after trait to develop!
[The fear of the Lord serves as the beginning or principal part of
becoming truly wise. Now let's notice the second half of verse 7 which
reveals...]
II. THE WAY OF FOLLY
A. THE FOOLISH DESPISE WISDOM...
1. The Hebrew word 'evil (fool) refers to a person characterized
by moral folly - NET Bible
2. It is an adjective meaning foolish in the sense of one who
hates wisdom and walks in folly, despising wisdom and morality
- TCWD
3. This foolish disdain for wisdom expressed elsewhere in Proverbs
- Pr 1:22; 17:16; 18:2
-- For one to despise the wisdom of God (such as found in this
book) is truly foolish!
B. THE FOOLISH DISREGARD INSTRUCTION...
1. Not interested in wisdom, they are unwilling to heed the
counsel of others
2. As expressed by the voice of wisdom herself - cf. Pr 1:25,30
3. Lack of such counsel leads to defeat and failure - Pr 11:14;
15:22
4. The fool listens only to his own heart - Pr 12:15
5. But wisdom and delight can be attained through the counsel of
others - Pr 19:20; 27:9
-- In the book of Proverbs, the fool is characterized mostly by
his or her unwillingness to listen to the advice of others
(God, parents, friends, etc.)
CONCLUSION
1. Here then is the underlying theme throughout the book of Proverbs...
a. Develop the fear of the Lord if you desire to become truly wise
b. Discount the warnings and counsel of others, and you will be a
fool!
2. As Christians, let us be truly wise by developing the fear of the
Lord...
a. For His knowledge has given us great and precious promises - cf.
2Pe 1:2-4
b. It behooves us to perfect holiness in the fear of God - cf. 2 Co 7:1
Shall we be wise, or shall we be fools...?

"THE BOOK OF PROVERBS"
The Prologue To Proverbs (1:1-6)
INTRODUCTION
1. There is a great need for wisdom in our society today...
a. Lack of wisdom is destroying the lives of many young people, and
making fools out of some who are older
b. Marriages are destroyed, friendships lost, souls doomed for lack
of wisdom
2. The walk of the Christian is to be with wisdom as we go through
life... - Ep 5:15-17
a. Because time is fleeting, and the days are evil, we must make the
best use of our time
b. Too many today are wasting both their time and their lives by
failing to exercise wisdom in their daily lives
3. The Word of God equips man unto every good work... - 2Ti 3:16-17
a. It is only natural to assume that it provides us with sound advice
concerning daily living
b. Indeed it does, especially in The Book of Proverbs found in the
Old Testament
4. The book begins by identifying Solomon, son of David, king of Israel,
as the author...
a. Who was granted wisdom by God - 2Ch 1:7-12
b. Who became famous for his wisdom, and wrote over 3000 proverbs
- 1Ki 4:29-34
5. The book also contains proverbs and wisdom from other sources...
a. The words of Agur the son of Jakeh to Ithiel and Ucal - Pr 30:
1-33
b. The words of King Lemuel, taught him by his mother - Pr 31:1-31
[In this lesson, let's introduce ourselves to the book by first
considering the prologue, in which we find...]
I. THE PURPOSE OF THE BOOK
A. STATED IN THE FIRST SIX VERSES...
1. "To know wisdom and instruction, to perceive the words of
understanding"
2. "To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, judgment, and
equity"
3. To give to the...
a. Simple (naive) - "prudence"
b. Young man - "knowledge and discretion"
c. Wise man - "increased learning"
d. Man of understanding - "wise counsel"
B. THE BOOK IS DESIGNED...
1. To make a person wise!
2. To learn how to:
a. Act wisely and righteously
b. Treat others with fairness
3. To give...
a. The ignorant, common sense
b. The young, sound advice
c. The wise, even more wisdom
[At this point, it might be appropriate to ask: "What exactly is
wisdom, and why is it so valuable...?"]
II. THE DEFINITION AND VALUE OF WISDOM
A. DEFINING WISDOM...
1. "Wisdom...may be defined as a realistic approach to the
problems of life..." - 20th Century Encyclopedia of Religious
Knowledge
2. Homer Hailey offered this definition of wisdom: "Wisdom is
insight into the underlying causes and significance or
consequence of things, which insight enables one to apply to
the best end the knowledge which he has."
3. To illustrate:
a. You are yelled at by your boss, wife, or brother in
Christ...
1) You could react in different ways
a) Strike back physically, or verbally
b) Do nothing
c) React with a soft, kind reply - cf. Pr 15:1
2) Wisdom is that insight which helps you to decide what is
the best thing to do
b. Someone makes sexual advances towards you...
1) Again, you could react in several different ways
2) But wisdom will enable you to react in the proper way
B. VALUATING WISDOM...
1. The first nine chapters of Proverbs are discourses extolling
the value of wisdom
2. The virtue of wisdom is seen in the prosperous life it can
produce - Pr 3:13-18
3. Its value is also found in guarding us against many pitfalls
- Pr 3:21-26
4. Some "pitfalls" frequently warned against in The Book Of
Proverbs:
a. Evil companionship - Pr 1:10-19
b. The immoral woman - Pr 5:1-14
c. Laziness - Pr 6:6-11
[Certainly we should be able to see that wisdom is of great value. But
let's go one step further and notice in particular the value of the book
of Proverbs in regards to having wisdom...]
III. THE VALUE OF THE BOOK
A. WISDOM COMES FROM TWO SOURCES...
1. Trial and error (personal experience)
a. One's own experiences can certainly be a source of wisdom
b. But there are disadvantages to gaining wisdom this way:
1) Much of one's lifetime can be wasted learning through
trial and error
2) One must live with the consequences of their errors
c. Sadly, this is the only way some gain wisdom, and that only
if they survive their errors!
2. Counsel from others (proven experience)
a. This is possible if one is willing to heed the advice of
others
b. There are clear advantages to gaining wisdom this way:
1) You avoid wasting years through trial and error, thus
living life to its fullest measure!
2) You experience life unburdened with the consequences of
earlier mistakes
c. Certainly this method of gaining wisdom is far superior!
B. THIS MAKES THE BOOK OF PROVERBS VALUABLE...
1. Instead of wasting our short time here on earth trying to
discover wisdom through the process of trial and error, we can
go straight to The Book Of Proverbs
2. There we can find wisdom that is:
a. Divinely inspired by God!
b. Proven true by generations of righteous people who lived out
their lives by it
c. Expressed concisely in ways easy to remember (Proverb: "a
short sentence based on long experience" - Cervantes in Don
Quixote)
3. Yes, the value of The Book Of Proverbs is that it provides the
wisdom of God Himself!
a. This is not to say that it takes little effort to glean from
this wisdom - cf. Pr 2:1-6
b. But for those who will look to God through His Word and
prayer, the promise of God is that wisdom will be granted
them - cf. Jm 1:5-8
c. And this is a far better way to find wisdom than the way
most people do it!
CONCLUSION
1. I hope this introductory lesson has made you want to study The Book
Of Proverbs in order to glean its treasury of wisdom
2. In succeeding lessons, we will examine The Book Of Proverbs more
closely by...
a. Making our way through the discourses on wisdom in the first nine
chapters
b. Considering the wisdom it offers pertaining to various themes
(family, work, God, etc.)
Our next study will focus on the theme of the book of Proverbs...
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools
despise wisdom and instruction." - Pr 1:7
Of course, no discussion concerning wisdom can be complete without
mentioning Jesus Christ...
"in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."
- Col 2:3
Without Jesus Christ in our lives, there is no way to be truly wise.
Have you come to Christ through obedience to His gospel...?

Pro
27:18 Whoever tends the fig tree shall eat its fruit. He who looks
after his master shall be honored.

Pro
27:19 As water reflects a face, so a man's heart reflects the man.

Pro
27:20 Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied; and a man's eyes are
never satisfied.

Pro
27:21 The crucible is for silver, and the furnace for gold; but man
is refined by his praise.

Pro
27:22 Though you grind a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with
grain, yet his foolishness will not be removed from him.

Pro
27:23 Know well the state of your flocks, and pay attention to your
herds:

Pro
27:24 for riches are not forever, nor does even the crown endure to
all generations.

Pro
27:25 The hay is removed, and the new growth appears, the grasses of
the hills are gathered in.

Pro
27:26 The lambs are for your clothing, and the goats are the price
of a field.

Pro
27:27 There will be plenty of goats' milk for your food, for your
family's food, and for the nourishment of your servant girls.

Pro
28:1 The wicked flee when no one pursues; but the righteous are as
bold as a lion.

Pro
28:2 In rebellion, a land has many rulers, but order is maintained
by a man of understanding and knowledge.

Pro
28:3 A needy man who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain which
leaves no crops.

Pro
28:4 Those who forsake the law praise the wicked; but those who keep
the law contend with them.

Pro
28:5 Evil men don't understand justice; but those who seek Yahweh
understand it fully.

Pro
28:6 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity, than he who is
perverse in his ways, and he is rich.

Pro
28:7 Whoever keeps the law is a wise son; but he who is a companion
of gluttons shames his father.

Pro
28:8 He who increases his wealth by excessive interest gathers it
for one who has pity on the poor.

Pro
28:9 He who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer
is an abomination.

Pro
28:10 Whoever causes the upright to go astray in an evil way, he
will fall into his own trap; but the blameless will inherit good.

Pro
28:11 The rich man is wise in his own eyes; but the poor who has
understanding sees through him.

Pro
28:12 When the righteous triumph, there is great glory; but when the
wicked rise, men hide themselves.

Pro
28:13 He who conceals his sins doesn't prosper, but whoever
confesses and renounces them finds mercy.

Pro
28:14 Blessed is the man who always fears; but one who hardens his
heart falls into trouble.

Pro
28:15 As a roaring lion or a charging bear, so is a wicked ruler
over helpless people.

Pro
28:16 A tyrannical ruler lacks judgment. One who hates ill-gotten
gain will have long days.

Pro
28:17 A man who is tormented by life blood will be a fugitive until
death; no one will support him.

Pro
28:18 Whoever walks blamelessly is kept safe; but one with perverse
ways will fall suddenly.

Pro
28:19 One who works his land will have an abundance of food; but one
who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.

Pro
28:20 A faithful man is rich with blessings; but one who is eager to
be rich will not go unpunished.

Pro
28:21 To show partiality is not good; yet a man will do wrong for a
piece of bread.

Pro
28:22 A stingy man hurries after riches, and doesn't know that
poverty waits for him.

Pro
28:23 One who rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than one
who flatters with the tongue.

Pro
28:24 Whoever robs his father or his mother, and says, "It's
not wrong." He is a partner with a destroyer.

Pro
28:25 One who is greedy stirs up strife; but one who trusts in
Yahweh will prosper.

Pro
28:26 One who trusts in himself is a fool; but one who walks in
wisdom is kept safe.

Pro
28:27 One who gives to the poor has no lack; but one who closes his
eyes will have many curses.

Pro
28:28 When the wicked rise, men hide themselves; but when they
perish, the righteous thrive.

Pro
29:1 He who is often rebuked and stiffens his neck will be destroyed
suddenly, with no remedy.

Pro
29:2 When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; but when the
wicked rule, the people groan.

Pro
29:3 Whoever loves wisdom brings joy to his father; but a companion
of prostitutes squanders his wealth.

Pro
29:4 The king by justice makes the land stable, but he who takes
bribes tears it down.

Pro
29:5 A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet.

Pro
29:6 An evil man is snared by his sin, but the righteous can sing
and be glad.

Pro
29:7 The righteous care about justice for the poor. The wicked
aren't concerned about knowledge.

Pro
29:8 Mockers stir up a city, but wise men turn away anger.

Pro
29:9 If a wise man goes to court with a foolish man, the fool rages
or scoffs, and there is no peace.

Pro
29:10 The bloodthirsty hate a man of integrity; and they seek the
life of the upright.

Pro
29:11 A fool vents all of his anger, but a wise man brings himself
under control.

Pro
29:12 If a ruler listens to lies, all of his officials are wicked.

Pro
29:13 The poor man and the oppressor have this in common: Yahweh
gives sight to the eyes of both.

Pro
29:14 The king who fairly judges the poor, his throne shall be
established forever.

Pro
29:15 The rod of correction gives wisdom, but a child left to
himself causes shame to his mother.

Pro
29:16 When the wicked increase, sin increases; but the righteous
will see their downfall.

Pro
29:17 Correct your son, and he will give you peace; yes, he will
bring delight to your soul.

Pro
29:18 Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint;
but one who keeps the law is blessed.

Pro
29:19 A servant can't be corrected by words. Though he understands,
yet he will not respond.

Pro
29:20 Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope
for a fool than for him.

Pro
29:21 He who pampers his servant from youth will have him become a
son in the end.

Pro
29:22 An angry man stirs up strife, and a wrathful man abounds in
sin.

Pro
29:23 A man's pride brings him low, but one of lowly spirit gains
honor.

Pro
29:24 Whoever is an accomplice of a thief is an enemy of his own
soul. He takes an oath, but dares not testify.

Pro
29:25 The fear of man proves to be a snare, but whoever puts his
trust in Yahweh is kept safe.

Pro
29:26 Many seek the ruler's favor, but a man's justice comes from
Yahweh.

Pro
29:27 A dishonest man detests the righteous, and the upright in
their ways detest the wicked.

Oct.
18

Philippians
3

Php
3:1 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same
things to you, to me indeed is not tiresome, but for you it is safe.

Php
3:2 Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the
false circumcision.

Php
3:3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, and
rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh;

Php
3:4 though I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If any
other man thinks that he has confidence in the flesh, I yet more:

Php
3:5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe
of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee;

Php
3:6 concerning zeal, persecuting the assembly; concerning the
righteousness which is in the law, found blameless.

Php
3:7 However, what things were gain to me, these have I counted loss
for Christ.

Php
3:8 Yes most certainly, and I count all things to be loss for the
excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord, for whom I
suffered the loss of all things, and count them nothing but refuse,
that I may gain Christ

Php
3:9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own, that
which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the
righteousness which is from God by faith;

Php
3:10 that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the
fellowship of his sufferings, becoming conformed to his death;

Php
3:11 if by any means I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Php
3:12 Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect;
but I press on, if it is so that I may take hold of that for which
also I was taken hold of by Christ Jesus.

Php
3:13 Brothers, I don't regard myself as yet having taken hold, but
one thing I do. Forgetting the things which are behind, and
stretching forward to the things which are before,

Php
3:14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of
God in Christ Jesus.

Php
3:15 Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, think this way. If in
anything you think otherwise, God will also reveal that to you.

Php
3:16 Nevertheless, to the extent that we have already attained, let
us walk by the same rule. Let us be of the same mind.

Php
3:17 Brothers, be imitators together of me, and note those who walk
this way, even as you have us for an example.

Php
3:18 For many walk, of whom I told you often, and now tell you even
weeping, as the enemies of the cross of Christ,

Php
3:19 whose end is destruction, whose god is the belly, and whose
glory is in their shame, who think about earthly things.

Php
3:20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from where we also wait for a
Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;

Php
3:21 who will change the body of our humiliation to be conformed to
the body of his glory, according to the working by which he is able
even to subject all things to himself.

This is a picture of Walt's dog, Diesel Dan. Humm, I wonder what HE WANTS TO DO??? Play, of course!!! And when is PLAY a bad thing?? Read the following passage to find out...

1 Corinthians, Chapter 10 (ASV)

1 For I would not, brethren, have you ignorant, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 2 and were all baptized[1]unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;*n13 and did all eat the same spiritual food; 4 and did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of a spiritual rock that followed them: and the rock was[1]Christ.*n25 Howbeit with most of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.6 Now[1]these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.*n37Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written,[1]The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.*n48Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. 9Neither let us make trial of the[1]Lord, as some of them made trial, and perished by the serpents.*n510Neither murmur ye, as some of them murmured, and perished by the destroyer. 11 Now these things happened unto them[1]by way of example; and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages are come.*n612 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

In this passage, Paul is giving his readers a bit of a history lesson. He refers to their Hebrew ancestors and what they did in the wilderness. And it was not good!!! Now, I am 100% in favor of having a good time, but I would put bounds on what constitutes "good": Playing ball is included; the things mentioned in this passage are not!!! So, be careful how you "Play"- remember verse 12!!!